Running Head: SOCIAL LEARNING 1

Social Learning Theory

National University

Chelsea Johnston

ITL 606 Learners and Learning II

2.3 Week Two Assignment – Social Learning Theory: Mini Case Study

Jason Siegel

11 February 2019
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Abstract

Albert Bandura and his concept of the social cognitive theory allow us to examine a case study

of Annie, a fifth-grade student who has suddenly grown quiet and sullen in school. By

considering the notion of observational learning, we can begin make sense of her increased

negative behavior and begin looking into possible ways to help Annie over come this obstacle.

This theory aids the educator by giving a starting point in assessing a child’s behavior and could

lead to a unified front from both the educator and the parents to ensure success for the student.
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Social Learning Theory

Introduction

Albert Bandura is a Canadian-American psychologist that is famously known to have

originated the social cognitive theory and the idea of self-efficacy. In the social cognitive theory,

Bandura believes in the behaviorist learning theories of classical and operate conditioning;

however, he adds two important concepts: “mediating processes occur between stimuli” and

“responses and behavior is learned from the environment through the process of observational

learning” (McLeod, 2019). In other words, Bandura believes that children behave in accordance

to what they have observed in other people’s behavior. By examining a case study of Annie, a

fifth-grade student who has suddenly grown quiet and sullen in school, we can begin to analyze

Bandura’s social cognitive theory in a way that would help her teacher overcome her pushback.

Social Cognitive Theory and Understanding Annie’s Comment

Annie is a student in Mr. Baer’s fifth-grade class. Mr. Baer has noticed that Annie’s

behavior has progressively worsened since the start of school, she has been getting more quiet

and sullen during Language Arts. Annie has stated that she “just can’t do this writing stuff,” that

she feels she is “not a good student,” and that she can thrive in P.E. and Art any day. By

considering Bandura’s social cognitive theory, we can begin to analyze Annie’s behavior as an

observed behavior. Annie seems to have found Language Arts to be consistently difficult, but her

negative vocal opinions and her inability to push to work, has progressively increased. This

increased negative behavior leads to the idea that it may be encouraged outside of the classroom.

In one form, Annie is most likely receiving positive feedback/being rewarded for this behavior;

thus, encouraging her to continue. The more this pushback continues, the more I believe the

behavior is being observed and rewarded outside of the classroom.

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Explaining Annie’s Comment “I just can’t do this writing stuff’?

Bandura’s social cognitive theory can help us understand Annie’s comment of “I just

can’t do this writing stuff,” by giving us a clear and plausible reason to her increased negative

behavior. Through consideration of the social cognitive theory, we can begin to understand her

behavior and therefore come up with a reasonable solution and game plan to overcome her

pushback.

Sources of Low Self-Efficacy Beliefs

Bandura’s social cognitive theory analyzed the concept of observational learning; this

idea consisted of four phases that would promote one’s behavior. The four phases include: “the

attentional, retention, reproduction, and motivational phases” (Slavin, 2018, p. 112). Given the

information provided from the case study of Annie and applying my understanding of social

cognitive theory, I believe that the sources of Annie’s low self-efficacy beliefs derive from the

motivational phase of observational learning. I believe that Annie’s pushback and negative

comments about herself are encouraged by allowing her to not try and complete her work. For

example, if Annie is struggling at home with her Language Arts homework and she constantly

makes these comments, then the parents may grow annoyed and allow her to not complete the

work. By doing this, Annie is not learning the mandated material and she is learning that if she

complains long enough, she will not be required to do her homework.

Applying Social-Cognitive Theory to Improve Confidence and Success

Applying concepts from the social-cognitive theory to improve confidence and success in

Annie could be done by either having her observe another student work hard, do well, and be

praised for their behavior, or provided alternate means of conditioning in the motivational phase.

Providing alternate means of conditioning could be done through positive reinforcement, to

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Annie, when she attempts her Language Arts assignments, and giving negative reinforcement

when she makes those comments. By doing this, Annie can learn to change her behavior by

observational learning and begin to thrive in a subject that comes difficult to her.

Self-Regulation and A Plan to Improve Annie’s Self-Regulation

Annie’s self-efficacy beliefs for writing are expected to influence self-regulation, as her

teacher, I think that helping Annie to believe in herself and see that she can overcome these

obstacles will aid in her self-regulation. To enhance Annie’s self-regulation, I could promote

positive reinforcements when she attempts the given assignments and provide tools to make the

assignments seem more manageable to her. By providing positive feedback and necessary tools

to aid in success, Annie will ultimately believe in her ability and her behaviors would soon

reflect that.

Addressing Typical v. Atypical Behavior/Development

Generally, for children ages ten to eleven, I would say that Annie’s behavior falls into the

spectrum of typical behavior. Humans are a product of their environment and children are still

determining who they want to be as individuals. Children are still developing their morals,

values, personality traits, and social behaviors; so, they observe the people closest to them to

help gauge what is appropriate. If a child experiences a behavior that has a desired outcome, like

Annie complaining about writing and ultimately not being required to do it, then they will model

according to suit in hopes of a repeated outcome.

Parent Contact

I believe that communication is extremely important in education. Parents should be

comfortable enough to approach the teacher with any concerns, while educators should feel

respected and valued enough to voice their opinions. I think it would be extremely appropriate
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for Mr. Baer to reach out to Annie’s parents. Through parent and teacher collaboration, a

reasonable approach could be determined. I believe that if Mr. Baer reaches out to Annie’s

parents, some key points/important questions that he should make are: his current concerns about

Annie, his concerns on how this would impact her future, his approach on how to help Annie

overcome these obstacles, ask for opinions of the parents, ask for parental feedback, and come to

a solid concept on how to help her. I do not think that Mr. Baer should voice any of his

assumptions to the parents, but rather suggest positive ways to encourage Annie to complete her

work. It is important as an educator to never make accusations and to always suggest positive

ways to endure change.

Consideration for Additional Services

Considering all means of assistance is important in the role of an educator; this helps

ensure the best services and education possible for all students. I believe it would be wise to

investigate some additional services to aid Annie in school. Some services that could help are an

after-school tutor, a writing resource teacher, and/or fun and engaging writing activities that

could spark inspiration to write. By having these additional services, Annie can overcome her

pushback to writing and begin improving her self-beliefs of her ability.

Conclusion

Albert Bandura is a psychologist that is famously known to have originated the social

cognitive theory and the idea of self-efficacy. Bandura believes that children behave in

accordance to what they have observed by others and the incentives they receive from said

behavior. By examining a case study of Annie, a fifth grader who has suddenly grown quiet and

sullen in school, we can begin to analyze Bandura’s social cognitive theory in a way that would

help her teacher overcome her pushback.

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References

McLeod, S. (2019, February 15). Bandura - Social Learning Theory. Retrieved from Simply

Psychology : https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html

Slavin, R. E. (2018). Educational Psychology Theory and Practice 12th Edition . New York:

Pearson.